Multiple fluid control device

ABSTRACT

A valve apparatus for a multifluid dispenser which can be located apart from the dispensing head. Flow of each fluid dispensed is selectively controlled by a separate electrically powered solenoid-actuated valve mounted on a valve block having channels therein connected to the fluid reservoirs and the dispensing head. Actuation of a solenoid-controlled valve initiates movement of a paramagnetic core placed within the solenoid coil in such a manner as to open a fluid path from the fluid reservoir to the dispensing head. The core is positionally biased so as to block the fluid path upon deenergization of the solenoid. The particular solenoid valve actuated is selected by a multiposition switch in the dispensing head.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Clifford C. Curse 8880 Kewen Ave., Sun Valley, Calll. 91302 [21] Appl. No. 7,841 [22] Filed Feb. 2, 1970 [45] Patented Dec. 21, 1971 [54] MULTIPLE FLUID CONTROL DEVICE 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs. 1

[52] U.S. C1. 137/594 [51] Int. F16k1l1/20 [50] Field of Search 222/1945; l37/594;25l/129, 141, 139, 332

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,267,515 12/1941 Wilcox etal 251/139X 2,508,132 5/1950 Aikman 251/129X 2,619,116 11/1952 Ralston 251/l39X 2,949,130 8/1960 Knight et a1. 137/559 X 3,043,336 7/1962 Parent et al 3&2,

Primary Examiner-Henry T. lfilinltsiek Attorneys-Walter R. Thiel and Michael L. Wachtell ABSTRACT: A valve apparatus for a multifluid dispenser which can be located apart from the dispensing head. Flow of each fluid dispensed is selectively controlled by a separate electrically powered solenoid-actuated valve mounted on a valve blOClt having-channels therein connected to the fluid reservoirs and the dispensing head. Actuation of a solenoidcontrolled valve initiates movement of a paramagnetic core placed within the solenoid coil in such a manner as to open a fluid path from the fluid reservoir to the dispensing head. The core is positionally biased so as to block the fluid path upon deenergization of the solenoid. The particular solenoid valve actuated is selected by a multiposition switch in the dispensing head.

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MULTIPLE FLUID CONTROL DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a solenoid-actuated valve apparatus for use with a multifluid dispenser capable of dispensing a large number of fluids from a single dispensing head. The fluids to be dispensed are stored in reservoirs remotely located from the dispensing head.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In those situations where several beverages are marketed simultaneously, such as at soda fountains, bars, or more portable installations, it is considerably more efficient to dispense the several beverages from a common dispenser rather than from the more conventional individual bottles and cans. Generally, at a typical bar installation, a bartender commonly dispenses water, soda, ginger ale, tonic, and several other mixes almost continuously. During the course of a busy evening, a substantial amount of time is lost when each of these mixes is stored in separate bottles and the bartender is constantly shuffling containers, opening fresh bottles, and disposing of empties. Additionally where only a portion of a bottle of mix is used over a period of time, the remainder tends to grow stale without the proper sealing and refrigeration of the bottle, which is a time consuming and wasteful chore.

Similar problems exist with other types of multiple fluid dispensing operations. As an example, conventional soda fountain installations provide two or three faucets for dispensing water and carbonated soda water from fluid reservoirs located beneath the countertop. Because the faucets are located above the counter in a fixed position, it is necessary with such an installation to bring the glasses to be filled to the faucet rather than bringing the faucet to the glasses. In cases where several glasses are to be filled at the same time, this results in the need to shuffle the glasses underneath the faucet so that each glass will have its turn beneath the fluid stream from the faucet. This tricky maneuver results in substantial spillage from the faucets and the glasses, not to mention the amount of broken crockery when glasses are accidentally pushed off the counter. Where this type of installation is designed for more portable application, such as where beverages are to be dispensed from a mobile dispensing station, the apparatus needed becomes quite bulky and awkward to handle.

Recently, various products have been designed and marketed which provide a single dispensing head through which a plural number of beverages can be selectively served. An example of such a multiple fluid-dispensing head is described in my copending design application entitled, Dispensing Heat for Liquids," Ser. No., 17,439, filed June 2, 1969, now Des. Pat. No. 217,215, and my copending application entitled, Control Apparatus for Fluid Dispencer," Ser. No. 7,842, filed Feb. 2, 1970. In that invention, a dispensing head is described wherein the particular fluid or beverage to be dispensed from the head is selected by applying pressure to the appropriate portion of a dispensing selector. Pressure on the selector closes an electrical microswitch which actuates and opens a valve controlling the particular liquid to be dispensed.

Other prior multiple fluid dispensers directly connect the dispenser head and the fluid reservoirs. In such dispensers, the valves for controlling the flow of fluid from each reservoir to the dispensing head is located within the body of the dispensing head. Whether the valve action is mechanically or electrically linked to the beverage selector, this always results in a dispensing head which is extremely large, cumbersome, and very heavy. Because the dispensing head is directly connected to the reservoirs, many under high pressure, the tubing needed to connect the dispenser to the reservoir is necessarily of a heavy caliber and is relatively inflexible due to the ballooning" effect of the tube. The construction of these devices often require the use of heavy, large springs acting against the fluid pressure to maintain the fluid valves in a closed condition to prevent any leakage. These springs tended to eventually wear out thereby necessitating frequent servicing and costly maintenance of the device. A dispenser with these disabilities cannot be easily handled anduse of such a dispenser over a long period of time is extremely tiring.

While some dispensers are presently available having a valve mechanism remotely located from the dispensing head, these devices are extremely cumbersome, leaky, expensive to manufacture, and so complicated as to be almost impossible to repair or to clean. Additionally, no vallve mechanism presently available provides selective adjustment and control of the amount of fluid flowing from each fluid reservoir.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a valve apparatus for a multifluid dispenser which will receive beverages from separate fluid reservoirs, some of which might be at high pressures, and will selectively control the flow of these beverages to a dispensing head located at a distance from the valve mechanism, the fluid passing from the valve mechanism to the dispensing head at a pressure only slightly above ambient.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve apparatus for multifluid dispenser which would be located remote from the fluid-dispensing head and could be simply fastened to a stationary or portable dispensing installation.

Another object of the invention is. to provide a valve apparatus for a multifluid beverage dispenser which is compact and still has the capability of controlling a flow of a large number of different fluids.

Another object of the invention is. to provide a valve apparatus for a multifluid beverage dispenser where the amount of fluid passing through each opened valve can be individually controlled. Still another object of the invention is to provide a valve apparatus for a multifluid beverage dispenser which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a valve apparatus for a multifluid beverage dispenser which can be manufactured almost entirely from a single block of material so that the body of the valve mechanism is impervious to leakage of the beverages to the outside of the mechanism or internal leakages from one fluid channel to another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a bloclt of material, such as plastic, has several fluid chambers manufactured therein, each chamber having an inlet and an outlet port for connections to a fluid reservoir and a fluid-dispensing head respectively. An annularly shaped solenoid coil has a cylindrical paramagnetic core movably disposed therein such that energization of the solenoid coil will produce a force on the magnetic core. In a deenergized state, the core is biased so that a valve head at the end of the core prevents the flow of fluid from the fluid chamber to the outlet port. An adjustable stop is located within each solenoid coil to control the degree of movement of the core when the coil is energized, thereby controlling the amount of fluid passing through the valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects of this invention will particularly be set forth in the claims and will be apparent from the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a multiple fluid valve apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of my invention connected to a multiple fluid-beverage-dispensing head with the connection between the valve apparatus and the dispensing head partially cut away, exposing the fluid and electrical connections therein.

FIG. 2 is a sectionalized view of the valve apparatus shown in FIG. 1 taken longitudinally through one of the solenoid actuated valves.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the valve apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the connections for the fluid and electrical inputs.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the valve apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the connector for the fluid and electrical outputs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates the connection of a multiple fluid valve apparatus 8 in conjunction with an appropriate dispensing head 14 such as the one described in my aforementioned copending application. The dispensing head 14 and the valve apparatus 8 are connected by a sheathed umbilical cord 16 having a number of electrical connections 15 and the fluid connections 17 necessary for the operation of the fluid-dispensing system running therethrough. The umbilical cord 16 can be attached to the valve apparatus 8 by means of a quick connect-disconnect joint 35 such as a plug arrangement which can be quickly and easily fastened to the valve apparatus 8 with a threaded collar having a knurled surface.

The valve apparatus 8 generally consists of a plurality of solenoid-actuated valves 12 mounted in a solid valve block of material 10. A definite advantage to a single block construction is that the problem of leakage is greatly diminished. The number of valves 12 depends on desired number of difierent fluids to be dispensed, one valve 12 being needed for each fluid. The block is preferably made from a noncorrosive, easi ly machinable or formable material such as stainless steel or a plastic. Because of the cost factors and the ease of machining, plastic is preferable. Plastic can also be made transparent and during the operation of the valve apparatus where the fluids dispensed have a tendency to clog, the transparent valve block greatly aids in locating any blockages in the fluid channels. While the valve apparatus can be constructed from a single block of machined plastic, this is not intended as limiting the scope of my invention and it should be apparent that the block can be constructed from any material having similar properties.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the valve apparatus described is capable of handling up to eight different fluids, one valve 12 being provided for each fluid to be dispensed. Experience indicates that this is usually the maximum number of fluids commonly dispensed. The reservoir for each fluid is connected to one of a series of inlet ports 26 mounted along one end of the valve block 10. Each inlet port 26 is fluidly connected by channels within block 10 to its respective valve 12 mounted on the top and underneath sides of the block. When a larger or smaller number of fluids are to be dispensed, a correspondingly larger or smaller number of solenoid valves 12 are mounted in the block 10. Each valve 12 is similarly connected fluidly to its corresponding outlet port located so as to connect with the appropriate fluid connector 17 within the umbilical cord 16.

Power is obtained for operating the valve apparatus from an electrical power line 19 which can be connected through a conventional voltage reduction transformer to any standard power outlet. Electrical power is supplied to the solenoids within each of the valves 12 by wires fed through channels machined into the valve block 10 to each of the valves 12. Operation of each valve is electrically controlled by connecting the solenoid coil of each valve serially with the electrical power supply and an electrical microswitch for each respective valve located in the dispensing head 14 which can be selectively actuated by depressing the dispensing head selector knob 13.

The structure and operation of the valve apparatus 8 shown in FIG. 1 can be more clearly understood by referring to the valve apparatus 8 and particularly to the cross-sectional illustration of a valve 12 shown in FIG. 2. Each fluid follows a path through the valve apparatus 8 from the inlet port 26 which is connected to a source of the respective fluid to be dispensed (not shown for simplicity) through an inlet channel 28 to a valve chamber 25, and through an outlet channel 29 to an outlet port 30 connected to the fluid-dispensing head.

In particular, flow of the fluid through the aforementioned fluid path is controlled by the actuation of the respective valve 12. Valve 12 comprises a solenoid coil 9 annularly disposed around a cylindrically shaped nonmagnetic structure 21 which can be threadedly engaged to the block 10 for easy removal and replacement. Coil 9 is electrically connected to a power supply by wires running through channels on block 10 (not shown) to cable 19 and to the respective switch in the dispensing head through a cable connecting with plug 33.

Core 18 is constructed and placed so as to be slidably disposed along the longitudinal axis within the internal annular region of the solenoid coil 9. A valve head 27 is located along the lower transverse face of the cord and a gasket 24 of resilient material such as plastic or rubber is disposed at the base of the valve head 27 adjacent the lower transverse surface of the core. The core 18 is biased out of the solenoid coil 9 by a small spring 22 set within the lower portion of a control head 20 which projects within the annular region of the coil. When no current is flowing through the solenoid coil 9, the spring 22 maintains the core 18 in a lowered position such that the valve head 27 will block the output orifice from the chamber 25 to the output fluid channel 29, thereby preventing any fluid flow to the output port 30.

Because the valve head 27 is blocking fluid from flowing out of chamber 28, any positive pressure differential from the fluid reservoir will act on the valve head in such a manner as to aid in the maintenance of a good fluid seal. The result is that the biasing spring 22 need only provide a minimal force to produce an efl'ective seal. The resilient member 24 provides a buffering action for the closing of the valve head 27 against the output orifice and also provides an improved fluid seal.

When the appropriate switch in the dispensing head is actuated, the current flowing through the solenoid coil 9 produces a strong magnetic field which acts to withdraw the core 18 to a position within the coil 9. This magnetic force draws the core 18 upwardly, until the top part of the core makes contact with the bottom portion of the control head 20. The rising core moves the valve head 27 away from the output orifice to the outlet channel 29, thereby permitting fluid flow from the input channel 27 to the output port 30. Fluid can then be transferred to the dispensing head by apparatus such as shown in FIG. I.

The pressure and volume of fluid flowing through the valve apparatus can be adjusted by varying the position of the control head 20. The further the bottom portion of the control head 20 is removed from the annular area within the solenoid coil 9, the further upward core 18 can move within the solenoid coil 9 and the further the valve head 27 is removed from the output orifice to channel 29, thereby increasing the fluid flow and pressure at the output of the dispenser. Conversely, fluid flow and the pressure at the output port 30 can be diminished by further inserting the control head 20 into the solenoid coil 9. This limits the upward movement of core 18 and maintains the valve head 27 closer to the output orifice of chamber 28 when the coil 9 is energized.

When one of the valves is opened, the fluid flowing from the respective chamber 25 to the narrow constructed output channel 29 will undergo an increase in velocity proportional to the difference in size between the chamber 25 and the output channel 29. This well known Venturi effect results in the creation of a low pressure area at the output orifice from chamber 25 which tends to attract the core 18 downwardly, partially counteracting the magnetic force created by the electricaIly actuated solenoid coil 9. When current to the coil 9 is turned off this low pressure will act on core 18 drawing it downward until the valve head 27 blocks all fluid flow to the output channel 29. The pressure differential discussed above keeps the valve closed until the coil is again actuated.

Because of this Venturi effect, and the positive pressure differential the primary function of the biasing spring 22 is to maintain core 18 in a closed position when the valve apparatus is not in use. When the high-pressure fluid reservoir for a particular valve is disconnected, the bias spring 22 will keep the cord 18 closed thereby preventing air from entering the input channels on the chamber 25 which might cause fouling due to the drying of the liquid therein.

Operation of each of the valves can occur exclusively or jointly, depending on the particular operation desired for the dispensing head used with the valve apparatus. As an example, where different flavors of soda are dispensed, the dispensing head can be electrically wired such that one valve controlling plain carbonated soda water will always open along with any other valve controlling flow of a particular flavored syrup. Similarly, any number of valves can be actuated at the same time because each valve controls fluid through an independent fluid path.

What is claimed is:

l. A valve apparatus for a multiple fluid-dispensing device comprising:

a. a valve apparatus body portion;

b. a plurality of fluid chambers within said body portion, each fluid chamber having an inlet channel and an outlet channel connecting said chamber with one of a plurality of inlet ports and outlet ports located along the exterior surface of said body portion;

c. a plurality of annularly shaped solenoid coils mounted along the exterior surface of said body portion, each coil having a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to said exterior surface and cooperating with a respective one of said fluid chambers;

d. electrical means for selectively energizing each of said coils;

e. a cylindrically shaped paramagnetic core located within the annular cavity of each of said coils in a manner so as to be movable along said longitudinal axis in a direction substantially perpendicular to the exterior surface of said body portion so that a change in the energization of any coil will produce a force on the core therein in a direction along said longitudinal axis thereby causing said core to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the exterior surface of said body portion;

f. an adjustable stop located within each of said solenoid coils for variably limiting the degree of movement of the core located within said respective coil in a direction away from said respective fluid chamber;

g. a valve head located along the transverse surface of each of said cores opposite the surface of said core adjacent said adjustable stop and adapted to block the flow of fluid from said respective fluid chamber to said outlet channel; and

h. biasing means for each of said solenoid coils, each biasing means located between the adjustable stop and the transverse surface of the core adjacent said stop, said biasing means causing respective valve head to bloclt the flow of fluid from said fluid chamber when said respective coil is deenergized.

2. The valve apparatus of claim ll wherein each of said valve heads includes a solid curved portion and a resilient means between said curved portion and said transverse surface.

3. The valve apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of said fluid chambers includes an inlet orifice for receiving fluid from said inlet channel and an outlet orifice of a substantially smaller cross section than said fluid chamber for expelling fluid to said outlet channel, each of said valve heads designed to be biases in a seated position within said outlet orifice.

4i. The valve apparatus of claim 3 wherein said inlet channels in each of said fluid chambers is maintained at a pressure greater than the pressure in each of said outlet channels so that the pressure gradient will act on each of said cores so as to maintain said valve heads in a seated position within the respective outlet orifice when said coil is deenergized. 

1. A valve apparatus for a multiple fluid-dispensing device comprising: a. a valve apparatus body portion; b. a plurality of fluid chambers within said body portion, each fluid chamber having an inlet channel and an outlet channel connecting said chamber with one of a plurality of inlet ports and outlet ports located along the exterior surface of said body portion; c. a plurality of annularly shaped solenoid coils mounted along the exterior surface of said body portion, each coil having a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to said exterior surface and cooperating with a respective one of said fluid chambers; d. electrical means for selectively energizing each of said coils; e. a cylindrically shaped paramagnetic core located within the annular cavity of each of said coils in a manner so as to be movable along said longitudinal axis in a direction substantially perpendicular to the exterior surface of said body portion so that a change in the energization of any coil will produce a force on the core therein in a direction along said longitudinal axis thereby causing said core to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the exterior surface of said body portion; f. an adjustable stop located within each of said solenoid coils for variably limiting the degree of movement of the corE located within said respective coil in a direction away from said respective fluid chamber; g. a valve head located along the transverse surface of each of said cores opposite the surface of said core adjacent said adjustable stop and adapted to block the flow of fluid from said respective fluid chamber to said outlet channel; and h. biasing means for each of said solenoid coils, each biasing means located between the adjustable stop and the transverse surface of the core adjacent said stop, said biasing means causing respective valve head to block the flow of fluid from said fluid chamber when said respective coil is deenergized.
 2. The valve apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said valve heads includes a solid curved portion and a resilient means between said curved portion and said transverse surface.
 3. The valve apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of said fluid chambers includes an inlet orifice for receiving fluid from said inlet channel and an outlet orifice of a substantially smaller cross section than said fluid chamber for expelling fluid to said outlet channel, each of said valve heads designed to be biases in a seated position within said outlet orifice.
 4. The valve apparatus of claim 3 wherein said inlet channels in each of said fluid chambers is maintained at a pressure greater than the pressure in each of said outlet channels so that the pressure gradient will act on each of said cores so as to maintain said valve heads in a seated position within the respective outlet orifice when said coil is deenergized. 